Deciding whether or not to have a part time job during the HSC can seem like a pretty big deal.
Do you devote the year to studying or juggling work and school?
Before you make any decisions, let us take you through why should have a part time job during the HSC and how you can manage it!
Why should you have a part time job during the HSC?
How do you handle a part time job during the HSC?
And check out our video for some more info on the pros and cons of maintaining a casual job during the HSC!
Why should you have a part time job during the HSC?
Reason #1: Extra Cash
A little extra cash never hurt anybody.
It especially won’t hurt a HSC student whose future prospects are either to incur debt through tertiary education!
Either way, you will need some independence and money once you finish high school. There’s no better way to get that than to get yourself a job and earn some!
Some extra money on the side also means you can also reward yourself throughout the HSC! Take yourself out to a nice brunch or maybe you can finally buy those sneakers you really wanted.
Reason #2: A lucrative distraction from the HSC
A part time job, whilst being lucrative, is also going to give you a break from thinking about your studies.
Work is a place where you can stop thinking about your upcoming exam or the amount of homework you have to complete.
This kind of distraction in little doses is good for you as it gives your mind a break from constantly thinking about your studies!
Reason #3: Reality check
While high school is real enough, it doesn’t exactly prepare you for what’s waiting for you outside, in the real world.
You aren’t going to be surrounded by nice people when you venture out into the real world.
Part time jobs teach you how to take responsibility, customer service, communication skills, leadership and working in a team!
These are all important skills you will need post high school, so it’s not a bad idea to get a head start and get a part time job.
Reason #4: Looks good on resume
An HSC graduate’s resume is often not all that dense. In fact, it is pretty darn sparse.
So if you want to add a little edge to your resume and look better to prospective employers, get a part time job.
This will look good as you will have education and work experience under your belt when you graduate.
You can list all the skills you learnt on the job, any leadership positions you held or even any awards you won!
Reason #5: An extra-curricula for scholarships
Tertiary education scholarships are often granted to those who have not just excelled in academia but in extra-curricular activities as well.
This means that you need to be an all-rounder in order to be awarded one of the scholarships for further education.
A part time job helps you become a well-rounded person and proves that you were committed to it despite a busy HSC year.
How do you handle a part time job during the HSC?
Tip #1: Commit to working the hours that are realistic
There’s no point in telling your employer that you can work everyday (including weekends) when in fact, you can only work a few afternoons.
Know your schedule and workload from school well. This means when it comes to your roster, you know what days you can work and how many hours you can give!
Tip #2: Prioritise
Prioritise your tasks for the fortnight, so that you can not only get them done but also work your shifts.
If you know you can’t commit to your work hours because of a heavy school work load, then notify your employer in advance. This is so that you can offer to arrange a substitute for yourself, so that your employer is not burdened.
But be careful that you are not cancelling frequently as this might make you unreliable in the eyes of your employer.
Top #3: Don’t take up additional shifts when you can’t
You are bound to get those occasional calls from your manager or fellow team members to ask you to fill in for somebody.
Asses your situation and if you can work that shift without being overburdened the next day, then do it.
But if you’ve got more homework than you can ever handle then, please do not take the shift! (No matter how nice the person asking you is or how desperate your manager is).
Because ultimately, what is your end goal? To impress the manager or ace the HSC? I’m guessing the latter!
And that wraps up our advice on how to handle a part time job during the HSC! Good luck!
Check out some of our other career content below:
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Mansahaj Kaur completed her HSC in 2015 and now studies Bachelor of Commerce/Laws at USyd. She thinks that English is the most versatile and loveable language on planet Earth and she loves dabbling in anything English related, writing included. But then again, this could be because she hasn’t learnt French or German or Japanese yet. But it’s on her bucket list, mind you! Her desire to learn another language or two is only matched by her passion for eclectic tones and mystery dramas- yes yes, Sherlock, too. She is an avid reader and writer, her favourite series still being Harry Potter, despite her having read numerous renowned classics. Mansahaj likes to think that by becoming a lawyer, she might be able to make a slight, small-as-your-pinkie, teensy difference in the world; but that could be wishful thinking!
